PARKING FEE
Charges being considered for Mote Park
Parking charges could be introduced for the first time at Maidstone’s Mote Park.
Council bosses are considering bringing in “nominal” fees for visitors as one way the 450acre site could make money to help pay for its upkeep.
One idea is to have the first hour free and then a charge of £1 for six hours.
Other suggestions include the rental of segways – electric, two-wheeled vehicles, ridden in a standing position – crazy golf and an aerial slide.
A consultation runs until Thursday and a report with recommended options and timescales will be presented to the council’s cabinet in the new year.
In all, there are 500 marked and overflow spaces.
Recently named the nation’s second favourite, Mote Park has seen its visitor numbers soar from 650,000 in 2009 to 1.1 million in 2014.
Its popularity has come at a cost, though – Maidstone coun- cil says the increase has caused a spike in maintenance costs, leaving even less money for improvements.
Upkeep of the borough’s parks, which is not a statutory service, costs the council £1.8 million a year, and following cuts in its budget from central government, it needs to find £3.4 million worth of savings over the next five years.
More than £1 million of essen- tial upgrades are also needed over the next 10 years.
The council is asking for residents’ views on ways of raising money from the sites. Maidstone council’s cabinet member for community and leisure services, Cllr John Perry, said: “We’re determined not to cut the budget for looking after our parks – they’re far too important.
“But that means that we need to find ways to make money to protect and improve them, which is why we’re asking residents for their views on different ways of generating income.”
Mote Park’s army of volunteers, who helped save the equivalent of £40,000 in upkeep costs last year, already support the site’s three play areas, 11 sports pitches, a pitch-and-putt course, a 30-acre lake and a cafe.
To have your say, visit www. maidstone.gov.uk/consultations